FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Public Health & Human Services now offering flu vaccine for adults

COLUMBIA, MO (September 13, 2013) -

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services will offer flu vaccine starting Monday, September 16, 2013 to adults ages 19 and older. Flu vaccine is available Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 p.m. at our clinic, located at 1005 West Worley. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome. Vaccine for children ages 18 and under will be offered in the coming weeks; exact dates will be announced when available.

For adults ages 19 and older, cost of the injectable vaccine is $25. FluMist®, a quadrivalent vaccine designed to protect against four strains of the flu virus, is also $25 and can be given to healthy non-pregnant people through age 49. We accept a wide variety of insurance, including: Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA, Coventry, Humana, Medicare Railroad, UMWA and United Healthcare. Our clinic also accepts cash, check and debit/credit cards. Receipts can be given upon request.

Despite a short delay in children's vaccination, funding and support from community organizations will still allow public health nurses to conduct flu clinics in participating Boone County elementary and middle schools this fall. The school-based clinics will begin in early October. Parents who have questions about their school's participation should contact their school nurse.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) in 2009, more than 1,300 Missourians died from the flu and/or pneumonia. "Getting a flu vaccine every year is your best protection from the flu", said Stephanie Browning, Public Health and Human Services Director. "We encourage anyone over the age of six months to be vaccinated, especially if you have chronic medical conditions, are over the age of 65 or will spend time around a newborn during flu season."

Over a 31-year period, flu-associated deaths nationwide have ranged from about 3,000 to 49,000 each year. For more information on the flu, please visit www.cdc.gov/flu.